An Oswaldtwistle teacher has said farewell to her pupils after more than 30 years in the same school.

Frances Duxbury has bid a fond farewell to St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School on Mayfield Avenue in Oswaldtwistle after 35 years teaching generations of children.

Mrs Duxbury, 58 started teaching at the school in September 1981.

She said: “I’ve been teaching for 37 years, and the children and the staff have been what’s kept me here.

“At one of our very first inspections, they said the school had a heart, and lots of people comment on how friendly and happy a place it is, when you’re content and happy somewhere, you end up staying.”

Mrs Duxbury, who is also the school’s science co-ordinator, said one of her legacies at the school was leading them to seven green flags as part of the eco schools programme.

She added: “Over the years we’ve collected up seven green flags from the scheme.”

During her time at the school, she has taught generations of families.

She said: “I’ve taught hundreds of children, about 25 a year, and now I’ve got to this stage I’m teaching grandchildren, but it’s nice that we get to know the families.”

Mrs Duxbury said she was looking forward to spending more time with her family in her retirement and travelling with her husband.

She said: “We have three grown-up daughters and my eldest is expecting a baby in January, she’s also a teacher and lives in Thailand with her husband.

“My youngest daughter is about to graduate and she will be going to work in Canada for a year, and my middle daughter lives in Manchester.”

A special assembly was held at the school to mark 58-year-old Mrs Duxbury’s retirement where she was presented with flowers.

She said: “Teaching has been all consuming and I hope to be able to do som more gardening, I would like to try and fit in some volunteering work as well.”